Rehabilitation

The rehabilitation department at the Meadows encourages residents to stay as active as they possibly can.  This helps to maintain their strength and endurance levels and helps to reduce the risk of falls.  They offer a range of activities, such as: circuit groups, Move and Groove exercise classes, yoga, Walk and Roll and KABAM (or Keeping Active Bodies and Minds). 
The rehabilitation department will also assess your loved one to identify the equipment that would best meet the needs of your family member, whether it is a two wheeled walker, four wheeled walkers (Rollator), wheelchair, specialized pressure management cushions and mattresses, braces, etc.
They also can apply through the program which is administered by the Red Cross distribution centre based in Dartmouth and funded by the provincial government.  The equipment is usually provided, depending on their monthly income, for free or at a minimal cost.  If any equipment needs change, modifications can be made through the program.  

Safety Tips

• When getting up from or approaching a wheelchair, ALWAYS ensure that the wheelchair brakes are on.
• If it is recommended that a resident use a gait aid (such as walkers, cane, etc.), it must be used AT ALL TIMES when they are transferring from one chair to another (including a car) and when walking.
• When getting from sitting to standing – encourage your loved one to push from the arms of the chair and to hold onto any gait aid once they are standing.
• When approaching a chair to sit – encourage your loved one to use their gait aid to back up to the chair until they can feel the chair against the back of their legs.  Then they should reach back to the arms of the chair they will sit in.

 
Meet the Team
Joan Brewer (Physiotherapist) – 881-3399, ext. 163
Heather Lowe (Occupational Therapist) – 881-3399, ext. 162
Sharisse d’Entremont (Rehabilitation Assistant) – 881-3399, ext. 152
Theresa Cormier (Physiotherapy Assistant) – 881-3399, ext. 157